However, Prime Minister Theresa May has decided to relaunch the recruitment process after deciding not to take further applications from those who applied for the role.

In a statement, the DCMS said the new recruitment process will start "in due course" and will focus on finding a candidate with "appropriate commercial experience or experience of setting direction and supporting an organisation to develop".

"The government is committed to the continued development of the NCS programme," it added. "The new chair will lead the National Citizen Service through a period of organisational change, so it is vital that we find the right candidate for the job."

The chair will be expected to devote up to eight days a month to the role, and will play a crucial role in the NCS's next phase of development - the trust is set to become a Royal Charter body in April following the passing of the National Citizen Service Act last year.

The change will put the NCS Trust on a more secure statutory footing and see the staff and assets of the current community interest company moved into the Royal Charter body.

Under the National Citizen Service Act, the Royal Charter body will receive grant-in-aid funding from the government and be audited by the National Audit Office.

The Royal Charter body will also be required to produce annual business plans, accounts and reports, which the government says will make the NCS more transparent and accountable.

Royal Charter status is a form of incorporation that dates back to the 13th century. Other Royal Charter bodies include the Bank of England, the BBC and many UK universities.